The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) is set to begin implementing its youth grant programme next week after an independent Grant Management Committee submitted its final report recommending support for thousands of small businesses across the country.
The programme, which attracted more than 100,000 applicants when the application portal was opened, was designed to support youth-led enterprises and strengthen Ghana’s small business ecosystem. An independent selection process reduced the applicants to about 10,000 candidates, who were subsequently vetted through a nationwide assessment.
Speaking after receiving the report, Chief Executive Officer of NEIP, Eric Adjei Esq, said the selection process was deliberately designed to ensure fairness and nationwide representation.
According to him, the committee travelled across the country to engage applicants directly instead of making decisions solely from the capital.
“We could not simply decide from Accra; we went into communities nationwide to ensure fairness and impact,” he explained, adding that the programme is focused on empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting existing incubators rather than serving any political interest.
He noted that the vetting process revealed a wide range of funding requests, including some that were considered unrealistic. Some applicants requested grants of up to GH¢10 million and GH¢3 million for single projects, while others were found to be outside the programme’s youth target group, including individuals in their 60s.
Officials said such applications would be screened out as the programme prioritizes youth-led ventures and small businesses with the potential to grow and create employment.
Vice Chair of the Grant Management Committee, Ms Judith Kafui Adza, who presented the committee’s report to the leadership of NEIP, said the committee carefully reviewed over 20,000 proposals before recommending 10,000 businesses for potential grant support.
According to her, the committee focused on identifying enterprises capable of sustaining operations and generating jobs.
“The objective is to fund businesses that can employ others and remain viable over time,” she said, noting that the committee deliberately avoided recommending ventures unlikely to deliver sustainable employment.
Ms. Adza also stressed that the selection process was conducted independently with contributions from experts across several fields to ensure credibility and transparency.
Meanwhile, Board Chairman of NEIP, Mr. Owusu Nkrumah Ababio, announced that the organisation has officially received the committee’s report and will begin implementing its recommendations next week.
He disclosed that the first phase of implementation will target approximately 2,000 qualified beneficiaries, who will receive grant support as part of the initial rollout.
According to him, the programme is being implemented on behalf of the President and the Minister for Youth Development, with strict adherence to the independent committee’s recommendations.
Mr. Ababio emphasized that the selection process was free from political interference and assured applicants that transparency will remain a key priority.
He also encouraged applicants who were not selected this year to remain hopeful, stating that they will have another opportunity to apply when the programme is reopened next year.
Prospective applicants have also been advised to monitor NEIP’s official platforms for updates as authorities prepare to reopen the application portal early next month.
Officials say the initiative is expected to boost entrepreneurship, expand small businesses and create employment opportunities for young people across Ghana, while authorities are also calling on private sector organizations to partner with the government to increase the funding pool and expand the programme’s impact.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
